key ideas Flashcards
When was the Treaty of Versailles signed
11th November 1918
What terms were outlined in the Treaty of Versailles
Military reductions, territorial losses, taking the blame for WW1, reparations.
Who were the Spartacists?
Communists who wanted Germany to be run by the working classes.
What was the background of the Spartacist Revolt
They wanted to replicate the Russian Revolution by overthrowing the central government using violent methods. They were led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxembourg.
What happened in the Spartacist Revolt
January 1919, 100,000 workers went on strike but many protesters ended up frustrated at the lack of planning and went home. The Freikorps who were ex-army soldiers who hated communists were sent by the government to put them down, they brutally murdered Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxembourg.
Positives of Weimar Government
Everybody over 20 could vote, citizens were guaranteed freedom of speech and religion, citizens were seen as equal, democracy.
Negatives of Weimar government
Article 48- stated that in an emergency the president could take control of germany and issue laws and decrees- future dictatorship. Relied on parties working together.
What was the cause of the French invasion of Ruhr
Signing Treaty of Versailles, paying reparations, in 1922 Weimar stated they would not be able to pay next 3 years instalments due to economic hardship, French thought they were lying.
Invasion of French in Ruhr
January 1923, France and Belgium armies sent 60,000 soldiers into Ruhr, took control of key industries, workers were instructed to go on strike rather than help the French.
Consequences of French Invasion of Ruhr
Government income from Germanys most industrialised areas (Ruhr) was down, worse economic situation, printed more money= hyperinflation.
How was the hyperinflation crisis brought to an end
1924 the Dawes plan and introduced the new currency Rentenmark. The German economy was now dependent on loans from the USA.
What was the Wall Street Crash?
October 1929- share prices on the Wall Street stock market in New York crashed, which created the Great Depression.
Basic facts about Nazi Party Origins
formed in the years following WW1, 1920 they were called NSGWS, 1921 adolf Hitler was their leader, hitler helped the party grow in support and size.
aims of Beer Hall putsch 1923
Overthrow Bavarian government in Munich. Supported by Ludendorff who they intended to make leader of germany once they also overthrew Weimar.
What happened in the Beer Hall putsch?
8 November 1923, Hitler and SA interrupted meeting of Bavarian politicians with violence, leader of Bavarian army and head of Bavarian police were locked in a back room, they were forced to publically announce their support for the Nazis, Ludendorff allowed politicians to leave (whilst Hitker wasn’t there), the next morning police and army stopped Nazis marching and began shooting.
